Envelope compartments



June 5, 1956 w. L. HIERSTEINER 2,749,021

ENVELOPE COMPARTMENTS Filed 001 29, 1955 5 SheetsShe et l 6 INVENTOR.

a/far Lee Mersfe/nen A r ram/Em.

June 5, 1956 w. L. HIERSTEINER 2,

ENVELOPE COMPARTMENTS Filed 001.. 29, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INYENTOR Waher Lee H/er'sfemer.

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June 5, 1956 w. HIERSTEINER ENVELOPE COMPARTMENTS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 29, 1955 INg ENTOR. Wa/fer Lee H/ersfemen ATTORNLYS.

United States Patent ENVELOPE COMPARTMENTS Walter Lee Hiersteiner, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Tension Envelope Corporation, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application October 29, 1953, Serial No. 389,036

1 Claim. (Cl. 229-72) This invention relates to envelopes particularly adapted for use in business systems involving enclosures that must be retained in a fixed position within the envelopes.

One object of the invention is to provide an envelope to simplify sending notices of payment due and which may be utilized for transmittal of the payment and assure credit to the proper account when the payment is received.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wallet type envelope with a supplementary pocket adapted to contain and support a notice, receipt stubs or slips, the supplementary pocket being formed by the back flaps and covered by the closure flap.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an envelope with a supplementary pocket adapted to contain an address slip, with the name and address in registry with the window of the mailing envelope so that the name and address on the notice and/ or address slip suiiices for the name and address for the mailing envelope; to provide an envelope in which the payment is returned along with the notice; to provide an envelope with a closure flap that closes the insert opening thereof and covers the notice to retain the notice in the supplementary pocket; to provide a one piece envelope incorporating the supplementary pocket; and to provide an envelope wherein the supplementary pocket is formed between the bottom and side flaps thereof.

It is also an object to provide in the combination of a mailing envelope, a return envelope, and an address slip or the like, means for retaining an address slip in position on the return envelope to expose the address area of the slip through the window opening of the mailing envelope.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, as hereinafter pointed out, we have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated on the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a return envelope embodying the features of the present invention, the closure flap being shown in open position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the blank from which the return envelope is formed in partially folded condition and prior to scaling of the bottom flap to better illustrate the gummed areas thereof.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective cross-section through the envelope, particularly illustrating the main and supplementary pockets.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the envelope with the supplementary pocket containing a notice slip and showing the closure flap of the envelope turned retractively for insertion of the envelope into a window type mailing envelope whereby the name and address on the notice slip is used as the mailing address.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mailing envelope with a portion broken away to illustrate the return envelope therein, and the notice slip in the supplementary pocket of the return envelope.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the return envelope, showing the closure flap in sealed position'for retaining ice a payment in the main pocket and the notice slip which prompted the payment in the supplementary pocket.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a modified form of envelope of the wallet type for containing railroad or airplane tickets, and having a supplementary pocket for containing baggage check stubs, the closure or cover flap being closed.

Fig. 8 is a similar view with the cover flap open to better illustrate the supplementary pocket.

Fig. 9 is a partly folded blank for producing the envelope shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 10-40 of Fig. 8.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a return envelope constructed in accordance with the present invention and which includes a front side 2 and a back side 3 formed by side and bottom flaps 4, 5, and 6 formed as parts of the front side. The envelope also includes a closure flap 7, substantially conforming in size to the front side 2 for covering an insert opening 8 to a main pocket 9 that is provided between the front and back sides and a supplementary pocket ltl that is provided between the bottom and side flaps 4, 5, and 6.

The side flaps 4 and 5 have lower edges 11 which are in substantial registry with the fold 12 of the bottom flap 6. The opposite edges 13 are inset from the line of fold 14 for the closure flap 7 to provide relief for the insert opening 8 and facilitate insertion of an enclosure or payment into the main pocket 9. The side flaps 4 and 5 are of a length to overlap at the mid-portion of the envelope as indicated at 15 and be secured by adhesive 16 applied to the overlying flap as best shown in Fig. 2. The bottom flap 6 has slightly converging outer end edges 17 substantially'registering with the folds 18 of the side flaps 5 and 6. The longer edge of the bottom flap preferably has a central portion 20 extending substantially parallel with the fold 12 and diverging ends 21 that join in a rounding curve 22 with the end edges 17 as best shown in Fig. l.

The inner face of the bottom flap is provided along the fold 12 with a stripe of adhesive 23 which cooperates with the lateral stripes of adhesive 24 and 25 at the ends of the flap 6 to form the supplementary pocket 10 when the stripes of adhesive seal against the side flaps 4 and 5. The front face 26 of the closure flap 7 has printed lines 27 for the name and address of the person making the payment. The front face 28 of the side 2 is provided with the name of the addressee which in the instance of the present envelope, is the original sender.

The notice or insert for the supplementary pocket 10 may comprise a slip 29 having a length to be received within the supplementary pocket between the stripes of adhesive 24 and 25. The Width of the slip is such that the lower edge 30 thereof extends along the stripe of adhesive 23 and the opposite edge 31 extends along the upper edges 13 of the side flaps 4 and 5 as shown in Figs. 4, 5, and 6. The slip 29 is provided with the name and address 32 of the person which not only identifies the notice but also serves as the name and address for the mailing envelope 33 in which the return envelope 1 is mailed.

The mailing envelope 33 is of conventional design and of a size to contain the return envelope 1 therein, with the name and address 32 on the slip 29 in position to be exposed through a window opening 34 of the mailing envelope. The mailing envelope also has a closure flap 35 that extends along the insert opening 36 thereof and which is adapted to be sealed to the back side 37 of a mailing envelope for retaining the enclosure.

While the envelope 1 is adapted for many purposes, it is especially for use in business systems. For example, an: insurance company must send out notices to the in suredfor premiums due. The insured, on receiving the notice, makes the necessary payment but does not always include the information necessary to identify the payment.

In using the present invention, the insurance company makes up a notice of the premium on the slip 29 applying the name and address 32 of the insured and other data on the face thereof pertaining to the amount of premium or payment due. The notice is then placed within the supplementary pocket of the return envelope as shown in Fig. 4. The closure flap 7 is then folded retractively into contact with the outer face of the front side 2 for insertion of the return enclosure in the mailing envelope 33. When the return envelope 1 is in position within the mailing envelope 33, the name and address 32 on the notice appears through the window opening 34 so that the name and address 32 on the notice also serves as the address for the mailing envelope 33. It is obvious that the slip 29 cannot shift within the supplementary pocket 10 since the lower marginal portion of the slip 29 fits snugly in the supplementary pocket and the return envelope 1 fits substantially snugly within the mailing envelope 33. The closure fiap 35 may then be sealed to retain the enclosures.

It is obvious that the notice slip '29 may be made up and placed within the supplementary pocket 10 of the return envelope, and the return envelope placed within the mailing envelope prior to the required mailing date and no further attention is necessary on the part of the insurance company until the mailing date arrives when the mailing envelope with its enclosures is to be placed in the mail.

When the envelope is received by the addressee, the return envelope carrying the slip 29 is removed from the mailing envelope. The amount of premium is noted and a check, money order, or cash, covering the amount due, is inserted into the main pocket 9 of the return envelope 1 through the insert opening 8 thereof. The slip 29 is then returned to the supplementary pocket 10 and the closure flap 7 is swung back over the insert opening 8, as shown in Fig. 1. The gum thereon is then moistened and the closure flap 7 is moved to sealing position where the moist gum adheres against the outer face of the bottom flap 6 as shown in Fig. 6.

Since the front face of the envelope has been printed with the name of the insurance company and since the slip 29 bears the name and address, amount of payment made by the insured, the payment is easily made by the insured. It is also obvious that when the envelope is received by the insurance company, payment is readily identified and credited to the account of the insured. The envelope therefore assures a saving in time on the part of the insurance company and substantially eliminates possibility of error.

Referring to the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, 40 designates a wallet type envelope of the type to be used by railway and airplane companies for the enclosure of tickets.

In this form of invention, the envelope includes a panel 41 having a face side 41', a side flap 42, a bottom flap 43, and a closure flap or panel 44. The panel 41 is of elongated, rectangular shape and of a size slightly larger than the ticket to be inserted in the envelope. The side flap 42 is shorter than the panel 41 and has a side edge 45 that joins with one side edge 45" of the panel 41 on a fold 45 that extends from the bottom fold 46 of the face portion upwardly for the full height of the side fiap 42, so that when the side fiap is folded over the face side 41' of the panel 41, the upper edge 47 is spaced below the upper edge 48 of the panel 41 to expose an end of the ticket and to facilitate removal and replacement thereof, in a wallet form of main pocket 49 that is provided between the side flap 42 and the face side '41 of the envelope. The side flap 42 has a bottom edge 42' that registers with the bottom edge 46' of the panel 41.

The lower end of edge 50 of the side flap 42 opposite the fold 45 terminates along the fold 51. The panel 44 is connected to the panel 41 and on which the panel swings to and from covering relation with the side face 41' of the panel 41. The edges 47 and ends 50 of the side flap 42 are left free of the panel 41 to give the wallet effect. The bottom fiap 43 is coextensive with the bottom fold 46 and folds over the bottom edge of the side flap 42, to be attached thereto at the ends thereof by spots of adhesive 52 and 53.

he space between the adhesive spots 52 and 53 forms a shailow supplementary pocket 54 between the bottom flap and side flap 42 for containing baggage stubs 55 as shown in Figs. 8 and 10.

If desired, the effective depth of the supplementary pocket may be increased by providing the upper edge of the bottom flap with an extension 56, as best shown in Fig. 8. in either case the bottom flap 43 is shorter than the side flap 42. The closure flap or panel 44 conforms in size and shape with the panel 41 to cover the baggage stubs 55 in the supplementary pocket 54, and the ticket in the main pocket. Therefore, this type of envelope is provided with the supplementary pocket that is formed between the bottom and side flaps 43 and 42, similar to the supplementary pocket that is provided in the first described form of the invention.

This form of envelope will be furnished by the manufacturer with the cover flap or panel 44 in open position for the convenience of the user.

From the above it is obvious that the wallet type envelope includes two elongated and generally rectangular panels 41 and 44 of substantially like size and having interconnection along one of their longer sides by a fold 51 on which one panel is adapted to swing to and from covering relation with the face side of the other panel. It is also obvious that the side flap 42 forms a main pocitet 49 on the face side 41' of the other panel 41, and that the bottom edge of the side flap registers with the bottom edges of the panels so that when the bottom flap is folded thereover and secured at the ends with the adhesive, the bottom of the main pocket is closed and a supplementary pocket is formed on the outer face of the side flap.

It is apparent that since the bottom flap is of less height than the side flap, and that the side flap is of less height than the panels, considerable area is left above the pockets to cooperate with the hinged panel for gripping or engaging the projecting portions of the inserts therebetween upon dosing of the cover flap or panel. it is also to be noted that the side flap is so defined to form the corner opening to facilitate ready insertion of the ticket or the like, and yet the side flap is kept in position to retain the ticket because of the fold and sealing of the bottom flap.

What We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A wallet type envelope including, two elongated and generally rectangular panels of substantially like size and having interconnection along one of their longer sides by a fold on which one panel is adapted to swing to and from covering relation with a face side of the other panel. a side flap forming a main pocket on said face side of the said other pane] and having a bottom edge registering with the bottom edge of the said other panel and having a side edge connected by a fold with the edge of the said other panel opposite the fold which connects said panels, a bottom flap on the bottom edge of the said other panel and overlying the bottom edge of the side flap, said bottom flap having ends connected with the side fir-p by means of an adhesive to retain the side ilup in contact with the said one face side to close the bottom of said main pocket and to form a transverse supplementary pocket on the side flap, the upper edge of the side flap and the side edge along said fold being free to provide a corner insert opening for the main pocket, said bottom flap being of less height than the side flap and the side flap 6 being of less height than the said other panel, to leave 505,001 Ralph Sept. 12, 1893 an upper portion of the side flap and an upper portion 534,458 Vance Feb. 19, 1895 of the said other panel for cooperating with the said 622,598 Bragg Apr. 4, 1899 one panel in engaging portions of inserts placed in said 768,670 Martin Aug. 30, 1904 pockets when said one panel is closed upon said other 5 1,371,670 Dority et a1. Mar. 15, 1921 panel to close the portion of the corner insert that ex- 1,894,027 Deutschmeister Jan. 1.0, 1933 tends along the fold which connects said panels. 2,062,776 Berkowitz Dec. 1, 1936 References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS Great on 488,005 Grifith Dec. 13, 1892 

